License-display device for automobiles



Sept. 25, 1928. v 1,685,558

s.. J. RIDEAU I LICENSE DISPLAY DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed. April 30 1927 /2 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept.. 25, 1928.

SIDNEY J. RIDEAU',l OF NEW ORI-EAN S, LOUISIANA.

' LICENSE-DISPLAY DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application led April 30, 1927. Serial No. 188,002.

This invention relates to a license displaying device for automobiles, and has for its primary object a construction utilizing a stenciled license plate so displayed as to be very readily viewed from a considerable distance in the daytime as well as at night.

An obj ect cf the invention is the provision of a stenciled -license plate in combination with illuminating means whereby the indicia on the plate may be very readily viewed at night from a considerable distance.

Another object of the invention is the novel manner of constructing and arranging the various parts so that the license plate and glass plate may be readily arranged within the casing and locked in such position.

A feature of the invention is '/the novel manner of constructing one end of the license plate with a flange of a shape to perform the Idual function of a closure for the entrance slot and a keeper for the lock.

With these and other objects in view, my invention will be better understood from a description of the same when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, where- 1n:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of-Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail cross sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one end portion of the license plate;

Figure 7 is a detail cross sectional view ofv one of the guide strips.

Again referring to the drawing illustrating one of the many constructions of my invention, the numeral 1 designates a casing or housing, shown in this particular instance as of rectangular configuration and provided with the front opening 2 and the side slot 3. The top wall 4 of the casing supports any number` of electricsockets 5, shown in this particular instance as'two in number, to receive the bulbs 6 and support the. same in the proper direction to properly illuminate the interior of the casing, and it is advisable in practice to coat the interior of the casing with any suitable light reflecting material. A tube 7 connects the sockets together and to serted through the slot 3 to be an inlet 8 in the end ofthe casing so that the usual electric wires 9 may be extended to the sockets.

Arranged within the casing is an upper guide strip 10 and a lower guide strip 11 arranged contiguous to the opening so as to slidably receive and support in proper position the stenciled license plate 12 and glass plate 13, t-he latter being preferably frosted to increase the effective display of the stenciled indicia carried by the plate 12. VTo increase the snug lit and to prevent rattling, the guide strips carry a felt liner 14.

One end of the license with an vL-shaped flange 15, one member 16 of which is arranged in parallel spaced relation withthe body of the plate12 and provided with a keeper slot 17. The size of the flange 15 is such that when the plate and associated glass plate are passed through the slot 3, the -iange 15 will completely close the slot 3 when the plates are in their proper positions, with the slot 17 so disposed as to be readily engaged by the bolt 18 of the lock 19, and thus the license plate is effectively locked in display position against unauthorized removal. 0f course, it is to be understood that the key barrel 20 of the lock may project through the end of the casing to be readily accessible. The device may be secured to an automobile in any suitable manner, but for the purpose of illustration I have shown the casing provided with a plurality of holes 21 for the reception of any suitable types of securing elements.

plate 12 is provided' From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be appreciated that with' the novel construction of casing as illustrated, a glass plate and stenciled license plate may be arranged 'in mutually facing'relation and inguided into' proper position relative to the opening 2 by` the guide strips 10 and 11. When the plates are intheir final position,.the ange 15 completely closes the entrance slot 3 and ielf is arranged to be brought into locking engagement with the lock for securing all of the parts together. With the bulbs 6 arranged as illustrated andv providing a frosted glass plate, light rays projected through the frosted glass will properly illuminate the stenciled letters and numerals formed in the livnus cense plate in such a. manner that the same may be visible from a considerable distance.

I claim An automobile display ldevice comprising 5 a rectangular casing having an open front and a slot in one end, a stenciled license plate having a flange at one end including a portion for spanning and closing said slot when said license plate is positioned to cover said opening and a portion extending at right angles from the first mentioned portion and provided with a keeper slot, and a lock carried by the casing and having its bolt positioned for engagement in the keeper slot of saidange.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

SIDNEY J. RIDEAU. 

